City launches transit planning for south side

Tim Berger / Staff Photographer

Community members watch Billy Wilder's film noir classic "Double Indemnity" as well as they can despite the light interference from the parking lot at the Glendale Metrolink Station on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. Glendale'sCommunity Development Department hosted a scavenger hunt, brought in food trucks, and screened the movie for the community in an effort to bring attention to the station and the area.

Community members watch Billy Wilder's film noir classic "Double Indemnity" as well as they can despite the light interference from the parking lot at the Glendale Metrolink Station on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. Glendale'sCommunity Development Department hosted a scavenger hunt, brought in food trucks, and screened the movie for the community in an effort to bring attention to the station and the area. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Joe Piasecki

More than 200 people gathered Thursday night at the Glendale Metrolink Station for a food-truck party and film screening that doubled as the launch of a city planning effort to improve transportation in south Glendale.

As part of the event, city workers hosted a walking tour and photo scavenger hunt asking participants to identify strengths and weaknesses of south Glendale and its various transit options.

Results captured on disposable cameras and more than 100 pencil-and-paper surveys will help officials shape the upcoming South Glendale Community Plan, said Michael Nilsson, the city's mobility planner.

The event also included a free outdoor screening of the 1944 film noir classic, “Double Indemnity,” which features a cameo of the historic train station, located at 400 W. Cerritos Ave., looking much as it does today.

Lisa Padilla, an architect with Cityworks Design, said studies will consider how zoning changes and future development can make biking, walking and public transportation more appealing.

The surveys and the photo hunt asked participants to identify such things as crosswalks they felt were safe or unsafe, a street they'd like to live on, and something they wish wasn't in the neighborhood.

“What they noticed is going to tell us a lot about what we need to address,” Padilla said.

Several attendees said safety concerns were a priority.

“There's a lot of crazy driving in Glendale,” said Kama Hayes, who moved to south Glendale last year. “You don't feel safe walking or biking because people drive so fast.”